Published: 13 Mar 2017

The summer dragged on without relief from the heat, with the temperature hovering daily between thirty-five and forty degrees centigrade.

There had been a number of threats from bush fires some distance from town, these were quickly extinguished but the problem of the long dry grass leading up to the town proper still existed. Now it was too late in the season to do anything about it.

Late February finally brought about the reopening of the mine and the return of the rail service. Alas each train travelled through town without stoping. There were some passenger carriages but these only carried mine workers. Like many of the modern mines around the country, it didn’t draw its work force from the local environment, nor house them in town. Being billeted at the mine itself or brought in on a fortnightly roster, using rail to service their needs. As the tracks already existed and were in serviceable order the mining company found that rail was cheaper than flying miners in and had done a deal with the state government to use the recently closed line, besides there wasn’t an airfield in fifty kilometres.

Under strict instructions from the others, Wallace attempted to used his position as Mayor to influence the State Government to include passenger services to the mine’s rail link but was advised in no uncertain terms that the mining company had sole rights to the line and he would therefore need to contact them directly. This was executed but it was firmly declared, time was money and having trains stop at towns along the route would cause lengthy and expensive delays. If the Council was prepared to pay overtime caused by such delays, they would consider the request.

Due to the mine workers being billeted at the mine and all provisions arriving by train or transport, the finances of Four King’s became most fragile. If it were possible to sell their houses and sold at their true value, they would be well rewarded but because of downturn in the economy, the price of fuel and the fact that most people wished to live closer to the coast, not one house could be sold, while each month more houses in the district were being added to the long list of properties offered for rent and sale. Now not even the once continuous line of grey-nomads and their caravans arrived. Also to the detriment of Four Kings, the true identity of its proprietors became known to the townsfolk, causing further rifts in their all ready fragile community.

Bill Fraser called an urgent meeting of the four along with Sergeant Barnes, which became heated when Jones accused Kenny of under cutting his meat prices at the supermarket.

“I haven’t changed my prices in months.” Kenny protested loudly, bringing Jones red faced to his feet, his finger pointing close to Kenny’s face.

“Gentlemen, lets not tear each other apart, there must be a solution to our problem.” Fraser declared gently parting the two. Jones returned to his seat but was still clearly steaming with anger.

Within a short time it became obvious there wasn’t going to be a civilised solution so Fraser declared the meeting closed, to be reconvened on the same day the following month. It was agreed and uncourteously the four departed company, with Henry Wallace immediately on returning to his office calling an urgent meeting of the Council, to discuss measures of saving the towns economy, or more to fact to distance himself as far as possible from the other members of Four Kings.

Once alone Fraser became agitated. He had the most to loose and to make matters worse, had only recently signed the papers for the purchase of the Brody house and the bank had already transferred payment. He couldn’t renege on that deal even if he wished too. It was a bad contract; he knew that but hatred for the Brody family was so strong it diluted any financial wisdom the man may have possessed.

The Brody house had been purchased as vacant possession but was agreed with Esca’s mother, her son would be given at least a month to vacate. Allowing her time to write to Esca and explain the situation. Fraser had verbally agreed but was most eager to visit the lad and deliver the news, while deciding he would only permit a week, or less, to clear out his belongings.

Over the following days the thought of evicting Esca pleased Fraser immensely, bringing him to smirk sadistically as he walked briskly towards his Newsagency. A rare skip in his step while releasing a whistled tune. Even with the devaluation of the Four King’s investments, he was happy.

Although Sergeant Barnes hadn’t invested money with Four Kings, he had been promised a sizeable stipend for his services. Now he was to receive nothing. Also Hank Solomon the Railway Hotel’s proprietor was demanding rent for his room. “Bad times,” Solomon explained, delivered with a long exhausting apology. Barnes considered retaliation against Solomon; he had enough dirt on the man to bury him but could not decide how to execute it.

The town was polarising leaving Barnes isolated and it was much too late for good policing, if he tried he would become a laughing stock. He could transfer but past audits weren’t favourable. He was too young to retire and even in his late twenties too old to start again. “Suppose I could go to the city and take on security work.” He sighed without confidence in his suggestion.

There hadn’t been good rain for two months and the town’s water became rationed. Garden’s could only be watered on an odds and evens roster then not at all and the town’s swimming pool closed. Adding to this discomfort electricity also became rationed, disallowing the use of air conditioners, except for hospitals the aged and those with small children, while all washing machines and power equipment had to be used off peak. This helped but there was still the occasional outage and on one occasion the power was off for a full day, creating many refrigeration problems and spoiling much of Kenny’s frozen stock. Even with this stock becoming unsaleable, Len Kenny refused to give it away, instead he binned the lot.

Complaints to the Council relating to the power outages were frequent but useless, as the problem was further up the chain of supply. There hadn’t been any new infrastructure of dams or power stations in the state for some years as the government’s majority was so slender it had to cower to the Greens and their anti dam, anti coal, anti almost everything policies. Besides when there were surplus funds to be had, they went to city projects, becoming diluted as the distance expanded, to become a playground swing or drinking fountain in the outback towns and cities.

“The pool’s closed.” Luke exclaimed loudly on returning from the shops.

“Bugger, I was going to have a swim this arvo.” Esca protested.

“How about we go to the Two Mile?” Luke suggested.

“There will be a cast of thousands.”

“Doubt it – it’s a school day.”

On their last visit to the Two Mile the track across the paddocks was well worn by continuous vehicle usage. This time the dry grass was quite long giving the appearance there had been few visitors to the water hole since the last rain. On reaching the water hole they discovered why. The waterfall had stopped flowing and the creek was dry, leaving only cracked, parched sun hardened mud. However one small spot under a stand of willows did contain water. It was ankle deep, stagnant and green with algae. Not fit for swimming, drinking or any purpose other than poisoning stock. To which it had been roughly fenced off to avoid the local farmer’s cattle drinking from it.

“I suppose there wouldn’t be any use travelling further.” Luke declared pushing the surface algae around with his shoe. Parting it soon reformed to once again become a solid green mass.

“Nope, if the Two Mile is dry, you won’t find water until you reach the Sunrise Dam.” Esca perceived.

“Suppose we will just have to return home and take a shower.”

“Together to save water,” Esca suggested with a cheeky grin.

“Of course,”

With the pool’s closure the local children were somewhat lost for entertainment. Many gathered either in the school yard or the adjacent park creating a general nuisance, hurling road gravel onto the rooves of the houses, or raiding the public toilet for toilet rolls, which they unceremoniously wrapped, like faded Christmas decoration, around the verandah pillars of the Country Emporium. Once the toilets were void of paper, they took to emptying the large potted plants the council had strung along the street, causing a traffic hazard, they even vandalised the shade sail over the playground. Some intelligent child had slashed the cover in three places with most probably a Stanley knife, causing it to shred to the corners then flag in the wind. Eventually it had to be removed as a safety hazard, leaving the playground equipment to bake under the hot sun, becoming too hot to use.

The nights were as stifling as the days, made even worse as one’s mind set decreed with darkness there would be relief. There wasn’t even a slight breeze. Esca dragged the mattress, used by his uncle, into their room, setting it under the open window, complaining Luke’s body heat was about to cook him. In his defence Luke declared he couldn’t feel anything and jovially called Esca a sook. A pillow fight erupted ending in more sweat, a broken pillow and a room full of stuffing and another cooling shower.

How many times Esca had dozed to that point where sleep comes he could not say but each time, either a thought or sound from outside, brought him back to consciousness. Once again he dozed, he could hear snoring, soft and distant. He was swimming somewhere in muddy water, yet he was more walking than swimming. There were chickens cackling – why chooks? Then there was a loud tapping sound. Esca woke in fright, his body and bedding soaked in his own sweat.

“Are you awake?” He called in a loud whisper across the room.

“With you’re snoring, who can sleep.” Luke grumbled.

“Listen.” Esca cut across his friend’s complaining as the night outside erupted into daylight. Both hurried to the open window. The high school was on fire, its dry timbers accepting the flames with loud crackling and shrieks like an injured animal.

“Maybe we should call the fire brigade,” Luke suggested, thinking he would not be the one running the distance to the corner telephone box in his naked state, as their telephone service had been disconnected previously from non payment. As the words left his lips the sound of the town’s fire engine came from the lower street, sounding bells and siren while wakening anyone who chanced to sleep through the noise of the fire.

Within a short time putting out the fire became good entertainment with a small crowd gathering, many having to be continuously instructed to stay back for their own safety. Eventually police presence arrived in the form of Constable Payne, who immediately commenced to find witnesses. There wasn’t any but someone had noticed a group of children hanging around the school yard earlier in the evening but had not taken notice who, as there was a constant stream of kids playing in the area.

After some time Payne found his way around to where Esca and Luke were standing. Exchanging pleasantries Payne enquired if either had seen anyone around the school during the late evening.

“Sorry not a thing,” Esca answered yawning as the night’s excitement commenced to wear off.

“I saw Brett Fraser hanging around earlier; he was with a couple of the Estate kids.” Luke offered bringing an all knowing sigh from the Constable.

“That lot again, they will be the end of me.” He gruffly thanked Luke for the information before returning to speak with the Fire Chief.

It appeared an accelerant had been used, the Chief believed it may have been petrol and a number of attempts had been made at different points around the school. Only one had taken, totally destroying three of the class rooms, the Head Teacher’s office, as well as the sports equipment room. It could all be rebuilt but being so early in the school year would make life a little difficult for the teaching staff and those who wished to advance their learning, while supplying a measure of stimulation to the under achievers.

Mopping up took the fire crew the rest of the night and they were still at the school when children arrived the following morning. Among the first group to arrive was Brett Fraser with his Estate mates, all smiles and gushes but lacking any signs of guilt. Constable Payne had not yet approached the lad on his whereabouts for the previous night. He would eventually do so, although was already certain of the reception he would receive from the father. “Brett was in bed, I can vouch for that,” The yet unspoken words rang in the Constable’s ears as he prepared his report.

Payne placed his pen back to the desk surface, clasped his hands behind his head while filling his lungs with the hot morning air.

“What do you think Sarge?” He asked in a quick release of breath.

“About what?”

“The school fire, do you think it could be up to Brett Fraser and his Estate mates?”

“Who suggested it was?” Barnes asked somewhat huskily. He was suffering from the previous night. His head felt full of rope, while his throat was dry and in need of another drink. He glanced towards the clock. Eleven thirty, not even time for lunch.

“Don’t rightly remember, it was one of those at the fire.” Payne answered, not wishing to mention Luke’s name.

“Brett’s a good enough kid.” Barnes proclaimed while lacking any tone of conviction.

“That’s the problem they are all good enough kids until they get in with bad company.” Payne added.

“I don’t think Brett has the bottle to be an arsonist but tell you what, leave it with me and I’ll have a chat with Bill.”

Constable Payne gave a light huh and once more continued with his report, making sure it was well documented that his Sergeant was to enquire further. Of late Payne had taken to documenting most things. Even small obscure points, taking care they didn’t in any way appear accusing towards Barnes, yet if one would read deeper they would find they subtlety did so. As for Barnes talking with Fraser, his promise faded the minute it was issued.

There was one thing Barnes did not wish to become further embroiled in and that was the row between the Directors of Four Kings, which had spread from Fraser’s living room, to the Council Chambers and into the town itself, creating an even larger fraction in their fragile society. A life time friendship between the four had shattered overnight. Also with their quarrel came emasculation of Council business, with the rest of Chambers unsure what their position was or, as most business had been left to the four, capable of instruction of any kind.

Of the eight Councillors, four were independent from the Fraser group, three males and one woman, Mrs. Tanya Hardstaff, a woman in her late fifties and most probably the only member of Council who showed any civic attitude. She attempted to mend the rift but finding it impossible to approach Fraser or the rest resigned her commission, leaving the three independents in a fix and totally ineffective, until so called ‘Blind Freddie’ could see that the Council was about to be discredited and new elections called for.

Port Stanley was a small fishing community, sleeping alongside a gentle bay, with sandy beaches and a back-drop of lush forest and pastoral land. It was the paradise one would seek when tired of paradise itself. Nothing much ever happened. Even the heat of summer appeared to be afraid of disturbing its serenity.

Stella Brody, Esca’s mother, had been living with her sister but since her pension was approved, moved to a cottage closer to the water. The house was small, one bedroom, lounge, kitchen and a tiny utility room that was not even large enough to furnish with more than a single bed. Stella soon settled in and was most distressed when informed the property was for sale.

Lacking even a deposit she thought she may have to move once more but from, as often said, stage left, came a telephone call from Henry Wallace with an offer from Bill Fraser for the Brody family home. What surprised her most of all, Fraser was prepared to pay her price. There had been other offers through the Wallace Agency but all far too low. Then she wasn’t in need of the sale but now the new offer came at just the right time and if Wallace had put it to her, Stella would have considerably lowered her asking but Fraser’s need for revenge was far beyond clear thinking and he had accepted without once again attempting to haggle over the price.

Excited with the news on the sale, Stella quickly approached the owner of her rented cottage arranging its purchase once her own property had been finalised. With all the excitement Stella had completely forgotten her son. She would need to contact Esca as he would have to vacate the property. Fraser wished to purchase it vacant procession from day one but Stella did stipulate her son was to be given time to find somewhere else.

Stella suffered an immediate twinge of guilt, which as quickly diluted remembering she had told Esca he could stay until there was a sale. Besides her son had proven he could look after himself by disappearing without notice to the city. ‘Esca could come here,’ Stella thought but as quickly discarded the idea. There wasn’t the room and at her time of life she had no wish to have a rebellious son around destroying her simplistic life style, while continuously reminding her of her husband’s demise. She knew Esca had not reconnected the telephone, as on the few times he had called it had been from a telephone box. She would have to write a letter.

This was quickly executed and posted.

Gary would appreciate your thoughts on his story. Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net

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